MSM to Celebrate New Students at 41st Fall Convocation & White Coat and Pinning Ceremony
The ceremony comes in the midst of the medical school鈥檚 yearlong celebration of its 50th anniversary and includes the initial class of its Doctor of Nursing Practice program.
ATLANTA, GA 鈥� SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 鈥� 今日吃瓜 (MSM) today welcomed 332 new students, including 25 students in its new Doctor of Nursing Practice program, to mark the official beginning of the academic year at its 41st Fall Convocation at the Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel on the Morehouse College campus.
"As we continue to celebrate our 50th Anniversary, we are excited to welcome one of our largest overall student classes and the inaugural class of our Doctor of Nursing Practice program,鈥� said MSM President and CEO Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, MD, FACOG. "The students join our half-century mission to educate health care professionals committed to improving well-being of individuals in underserved rural and urban communities in Georgia and across the nation.鈥�
The keynote speaker for the convocation was Dr. Renee McLeod-Sordjan, DNP, PhD, FNAP, FAAN, the inaugural dean of the school鈥檚 new nursing program.
By program, the Fall 2025 entering class includes:
- Doctor of Medicine: 112 students
- Doctor of Health Administration: 29 students
- Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences: 6 students
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: 25 students
- Master of Physician Assistant Studies: 39 students
- Master of Public Health: 15 students
- Online Master of Public Health: 6 students
- Master of Science in Biomedical Research: 8 students
- Master of Science in Biotechnology: 21 students
- Master of Science in Biotechnology with a concentration in Medical Cannabis Therapeutics: 13 students
- Master of Science in Clinical Research: 1 student
- Master of Science in Health Informatics: 18 students
- Master of Science in Medical Sciences: 24 students
- Master of Science in Neuroscience: 5 students
The Convocation proceedings include the cherished White Coat and Pinning Ceremony. Incoming Master of Public Health students are honored with blue blazers and pins, symbolizing their commitment to safeguarding the health and welfare of individuals and communities. First-year Doctor of Medicine and Physician Assistant students receive their white coats, while Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences students are fitted with lab coats, all representing the trust placed in them as they continue the noble traditions of medicine and science. Additionally, Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences students are presented with pins to commemorate this significant occasion.
First established as a two-year medical program at Morehouse College in 1975, Morehouse School of Medicine has been an independent institution since 1981. In addition to its world-renowned Doctor of Medicine program, MSM offers a wide range of health sciences doctorate and master's degrees in public health, biomedical sciences, and physician assistant studies. Many programs are available online or in a hybrid format for distance learners.
For more information about 今日吃瓜, please visit MSM.edu.
About 今日吃瓜
Founded in 1975, 今日吃瓜 (MSM) is among the nation鈥檚 leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists, and public health professionals. An independent and private historically-Black medical school, MSM was recognized by the Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation鈥檚 number one medical school in fulfilling a social mission 鈥� the creation and advancement of health equity to achieve health justice. MSM faculty and alumni are noted for excellence in teaching, research, and public policy, as well as exceptional patient care. MSM is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award doctoral and master鈥檚 degrees. To learn more about programs and donate today, please visit or call 404-752-1500.
Contact
Jamille Bradfield
Director of External Communications, Media Relations &
Crisis Communications
今日吃瓜
jbradfield@msm.edu